Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through some of the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or stolen off of the internet through the years and find one special picture that stands out. Little lost moments in time from yesterday caught with a Cameras lens and relived right here in my blog. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that one special picture and sometimes it's not that easy, one thing it consistently is however is a whole lot of fun.

This weeks pic comes from one I scanned for a co-worker. On the tricycle is Richard Toth, in the background is Ron Mares whom gave me this picture, on the right is Bobby Toth and on the left...The dark haired lady on the left. That would be Jean. This picture was taken in 1960 (thankfully they penciled in all the information on the back) so Jean would have been 11 years old at this time.

I thought it was a rare treat and I shared that and a few other pictures of the Evantos including a couple pictures of the person my brother Gary is named after. Gary Allen Toth who died about a year before this picture was taken. I was working with a couple of the Evantos to get some older pictures of people who had passed away and I knew Ron may have some pictures that were useful to the purpose.

Have yourselves a great day and make a difference.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Two days in and two more ahead of us, now all we have to do is get up and over this dreaded noon time hump today and it will be all downhill as we work towards another fun filled weekend.

Here I am again with a brain fart Wednesday, all of the other blogs I write write fairly smoothly, but I always seem to struggle for content on Wednesdays for some reason or another. Maybe it's because it's not a live blog (Sat and Sunday), it's not a themed blog (tues, thursday, friday) and it's not the start of a new workweek (monday) that I struggle so much with it. My days of a work week consist of waking up, going to work (I work much later than I used to due to contractual obligations) and coming home and eating dinner. No real excitement and we lead a pretty boring life during the week. There are evenings when I go out for RTI, making the work days very long and excessive.

Our television is always on, but we never watch it. It's on more for noise in the background as Michelle watches Netflix on her computer and I'm usually on my computer playing around. Chad is always back in his bedroom streaming Hulu or Netflix and there is no real excitement. Years ago I used to write about Survivor, but since there are no TV shows that I watch, can't really discuss that.

Anyways, have a great day and do something to change the world.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is once again completed, it is always rough to get back to work after a long weekend but we did it, can't think of any better reason to do a tidbits.

* It has been 19,738 days since my reported birth, by my calculation and using my patented 938 day calendar, that should make me 21 years old by my calculations.

* It has been 4,944 days since I graduated from West Virginia University, I fulfilled a lifelong dream of me and my Grandparents for me to do so.

* 3,545 days ago Michelle and I went out for the first time, seems like only yesterday and it is amazing how far we have come.

* 2,769 days ago I proposed to Michelle, 4:00 in the back yard and she said yes.

* It was 2,306 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, Michelle and became husband and wife. It was a very special day for us.

* I have 5,116 days to go until I retire, or at least start doing something else with my life other than working.

* The next Backyard brawl where we beat Pitt's ass is only 1,762 days away, Pitt knocked off #2 Miami this past weekend and we got pummeled by Oklahoma, good thing we didn't play this weekend.

* My next Anniversary of my 21st Birthday will be in 368 more days. If you use that antiquated 365 day calendar, this will be the 34th Anniversary of it. Yes, 368 more days you read that correctly..lol

* There are 251 more days to go until Michelle and I celebrate our magical Seventh Wedding Anniversary.

* We have 112 more days to go until Spring 2018, I threw my first snowball this weekend at Michelle when we were in Western Maryland. I'm ready for Spring.

* 67 more days until Phil takes center stage again, sent him a few nice cheeses and some wine to try to influence his opinion that day.

* 34 more days to go until my Goodbye 2017 Blog is posted where I recount 2017 based on what I have written in my blog. I will probably start my formatting for it next week and possibly start writing some of the earlier months.

* There are 27 more shopping days left until Christmas, it's time to get serious about Christmas Shopping.

* I have written 5,065 blogs in what is now my 13 full years of being a Blogger and working towards 10,000. Only 4,935 to go!!!!!

* Nothing new on the Brother Search that has been going on for a couple of years, but we've hit brick walls everywhere but what else is new.

* Nothing new on the Hall Family Tree but I did a few updates on the Find A Grave site that I use to tie into it. There are still currently 389 members in it and I do need to get working on that. I did just update my software, so I should be good to start updating.

* Believe it or not as of GJPT (George's Journal Press Time (or yesterday about this time)) our Christmas Tree has taken 7 quarts of water since the reservoir was initially filled up last Friday. I would say as of the time this posts we will be at 9 quarts or over 2 gallons. It's a healthy tree.

* Michelle's Company Christmas Party is this weekend. MEPCO is having their Christmas Party at the Hotel Morgan Saturday evening, and of course we are invited...=)

* Well it's official, I will be going to St. Louis in January and Michelle will be staying in Morgantown this year working. She has the time off, but she is very busy at work and will be in the very near future, so this is just a bad time for her. Next year and hopefully they will move it to another location.

* WVU should know within the next week or so as to which Bowl Game we will be playing in this year. The Conference Championship games are this weekend and it will all be clear after that.

* I may be making a trip to the Theatre next month, the next Star Wars movie is coming out and I am a Star Wars fan. I confess I never saw Rouge One, but that is not one of the first nine episodes.

* I'm STILL converting some old VHS tapes to Digital Format for Trish. I really need to get back on this as I am such a procrastinator.

* Have I ever mentioned that I Hate Snow?

* Have yourselves a great day.

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

All good things must come to an end, and that does in fact include this fun filled things called weekends and in Michelle's case an extended weekend. Now it's time to take our collective noses and stick them back on the grindstone for another fun filled week of doing what it is that we do for a living and start another fun filled week of changing the world.

The students are back in town after a Thanksgiving Break that gave us all a little bit of relief from the traffic. They will be here until the end of the quarter and the winter recess begins on December 14th and they don't start the next Semester until January 8th, or after I come back from St. Louis. It shouldn't be too bad as projects are going to be coming due and final exams are coming up, so they will be busy before they take off prior to the break.

Coming up this weekend will be Michelle's Company Christmas Party this Saturday at the Hotel Morgan. My Company, AECOM I don't believe does one (plus we are a company of 85,000 people), so this might be the only Christmas Party we will have this year, unless I'm invited to my old companies party which is not out of the question or ordinary as Dale always seems to invite his former employees as well as his current ones.

Have yourselves a great day today.

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Peanut

Here I sit on a quiet Sunday Morning, I'm up early watching who the heck knows what on the boob tube and collecting my thoughts on the day. Peanut is surveying her surroundings trying to send messages in Catanese that she wants treats.

Well as ugly as the WVU game was yesterday, I never watched a single minute of it. They managed to lose at Oklahoma 59-31 and it looks like the score was much closer than the actual game. I knew that game was going to be ugly with or without Will Grier. It was just destined to be an ugly game.

Michelle and I did do a little running around yesterday, we went to Ball's Auctions in Terra Alta and visited their wholesale store. We ended up finding a brand new induction cooking system for $45. Michelle has always wanted one, so I picked her one up.

We did do a lot of unexpected running around yesterday, including running into Western Maryland and into Deep Creek through Oakland Maryland. It was one of those rare days when neither one of us has anything to do and we had a little bit of us time.

Next weekend we are baking and attending Michelle's Company Christmas Party, the following Weekend we are traveling to Ohio for her Grandmother's yearly Christmas get together.

Regular plans of shopping and cleaning for us today.

Have a great day.

Happy Birthday Valarie Jo Nicholson

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my Niece Valarie a very Happy Birthday today. If my math is correct, and it always is, she is 20 years younger than me and I'm 21 so that would make her about two years younger than her own daughter. I would tell you her real age, but that would require me actually remembering how old I am and how old I will be.

Not sure what anyone has planned for the day, but if I know Val she will have something on the agenda if it didn't already happen yesterday evening and into this morning if the opportunity is available.

Val just recently learned that she has an obstacle coming up in her life with her health situation. My advice to her would be faced it as an obstacle that you conquer and not something that prevents you from accomplishing anything and everything you desire. It's not curable, but it is manageable and it's just simply an obstacle, nothing that she not overcome. I believe that she is capable of accomplishing anything she sets her mind to.

If you happen to see Val today, make sure that you wish her a very Happy Birthday today.

Happy Birthday Val, you got this.

It's Sammy

Sammy is Back

Well Sammy the Christmas Elf on a Shelf has made his return for the 2017 season. Michelle and Chad went out yesterday to cut down a live tree (best tree we have ever had, highly recommended) and after they came home, the house exploded  of Christmas. I was totally amazed, Michelle and Chad had done a wonderful job in decorating the house.  I know it something that she just loves doing, and she wanted to go and cut down a live tree this year, something her and the kids used to do when they were growing up. Our tree is absolutely beautiful this year and Sammy the Christmas Elf has shown up again to wreak Christmas Havoc on the year once again.I shared a video at the end of this post, but I sound eerily like my Dad..lol

The Mountaineers are on the road today, they are in Norman Oklahoma to take on the Sooners. The two teams marquee players are either not playing or not starting. Will Grier broke his hand and finger last week and we have lost him for the next 4-6 weeks (rest of season) and Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma who may have been the Heisman Trophy front runner is not starting because of some antics displayed on the sidelines last week against Kansas, although he will play.

No plans for today, I was going to travel to work this weekend for RTI, but never heard a word from my boss (who is off all weekend) and don't have the paperwork that I need to do my job, so she must have assigned it to someone else. Meaning, I get to stay home and relax this weekend.

Not sure what Michelle and I will get into, if much of anything today. Michelle has an allergic reaction to Coconut and had some pumpkin pie Thursday evening and had Cool Whip on top of it (we usually use Ready Whip).  Come to find out Cool Whip is made with Coconut Oil, so need less to say Michelle has been pretty uncomfortable since Thanksgiving. Her hands have swollen and her face has swollen, if it gets any worse we're going to Urgent Care. She has been taking Benadryl.

Have yourselves a great day, hopefully everyone's Black Friday Shopping (or headache as I refer to it) went well. 

Big Ole Hairy Black Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Black Friday, let the Mayhem begin.

Well as of GJPT (George's Journal Press Time) Michelle is planning on going Black Friday Shopping with her Sisters, me however I am one of the few people (other than those unfortunate people who work in retail), that is working today. It's going to be a skeleton crew, but since I am the low man on the totem poll at AECOM and have to use my vacation time that I have accrued to go to St. Louis, I am in the office.

Later today Michelle and Chad are going to go and cut down our Christmas Tree and set it up and decorate the house for the season. Michelle wants to do something different this year and cut down a live tree to decorate. We always have a real tree, but they have always been pre-cut for us. She wants to have the experience of cutting one down.

Have yourselves a great day, Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thanksgiving

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through some of the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or stolen off of the internet through the years and find one special picture that stands out. Little lost moments in time from yesterday caught with a Cameras lens and relived right here in my blog. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that one special picture and sometimes it's not that easy, one thing it consistently is however is a whole lot of fun.

Well since today is Thanksgiving and Michelle and I have done Thanksgiving at the Cassville Firehall since 2008, I thought I would pull up a rare moment from one of the Thanksgivings past.

Chad is one who does not like his picture taken, it's almost become a game to try to get a shot of him and capture it, this picture is from 2008 and I caught him a little bit off guard and got the shot. Hayley on the other hand has no problem with having her picture taken.

The guy in the Dallas Cowboys jersey is my brother in law Roy, but in a family full of Steeler fans we all still love him, although there is still hope for him to come over to the good side.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Big Ole Hairy Hump Day

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to pause the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Wednesday.

Some of you this may be your Friday as tomorrow is Thanksgiving and many of you will be off on Friday (including my wife), so this is the start of a long weekend for you. For me however, I'm working on Friday so tomorrow is just a day off for me.

Our plans for this evening and tomorrow, after work we will go to Texas Road House and pick up rolls and butter for tomorrow and then we will go to the Cassville Firehall. There we will be helping set up tables, peel potatoes, help with making the home made noodles and about anything and everything that will need to be done for the Thanksgiving Feast. It is the calm before the storm but most of us will be there this evening working as a team and in unison like a well oiled machine. It's amazing how this family comes together and works as one large unit.

Have yourselves a great day today, whether you are starting your weekend or you are working this weekend, make the most of it.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Deer Season has been started in West Virginia, hopefully all the hunters had success and there will be less obstacles in the road to hit, can't think of a better reason to do a tidbits.

* It has been 19,731 days since my reported birth, by my calculation and using my patented 938 day calendar, that should make me 21 years old by my calculations.

* It has been 4,937 days since I graduated from West Virginia University, I have been lucky to work in my field both during and post college.

* 3,538 days ago Michelle and I went out on our very first date. 10,000 BC and a pizza from Pizza Hit.

* 2,762 days ago I got down on one knee and proposed marriage and my life has been better ever since. She filled the voids in my life.

* It was 2,299 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, Michelle and became husband and wife. It was a very special day for us.

* I have 5,123 days to go until I retire, or at least start doing something else with my life other than working.

* The next Backyard brawl where we beat Pitt's ass is only 1,769 days away. it can't come soon enough.

* There are 258 more days to go until Michelle and I celebrate our magical Seventh Wedding Anniversary.

* We have 119 more days to go until Spring 2018, we are not in winter yet but days are too short and too cold, give me the springtime.

* 74 more days until Phil takes center stage again, hopefully he delivers some good news. Note to self, send him some liquor and fine cheese to keep him drunk and constipated.

* 41 more days to go until my Goodbye 2017 Blog is posted where I recount 2017 based on what I have written in my blog. It has been a year of transition and change, so should be a good read.

* There are 34 more shopping days left until Christmas. Michelle is talking about decorating Friday as I am at work.

* My next Anniversary of my 21st Birthday will be in 10 more days. If you use that antiquated 365 day calendar, this will be the 33rd Anniversary of it.

* I have written 5,057 blogs in what is now my 13 full years of being a Blogger and working towards 10,000. Only 4,943 to go!!!!!

* Nothing new on the Brother Search that has been going on for a couple of years, but we've hit brick walls everywhere but what else is new.

* Nothing new on the Hall Family Tree, even though there are some updates and additions that do need to be made, so there is that for me to work on.

* WVU Quarterback Will Grier is done for the year after breaking his finger and hand on Saturday, hopefully he has a full recovery and is ready to return next season. The Mountaineers play at Oklahoma this coming weekend.

* We have officially paid off our furniture that we bought a few months ago. I got six months free financing but paid it off in just three. Could have just paid for it then, but chose to use 0% financing and stretch it into three payments. Woo Hoo

* Thanksgiving Dinner this week at the Cassville Firehall. Last years auction paid for this years feast and we'll have an auction later that evening and pay for next years.

* I may have to go out and do field work this weekend, that's up in the air at the moment, I should know more in the next day or two.

* I'm STILL converting some old VHS tapes to Digital Format for Trish. I really need to get back on this.

* Have I ever mentioned that I Hate Snow?

* Have yourselves a great day.

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

All good things must come to an end, and that does include those rain filled QB losing things that we refer to as weekends. Now it's time to stick our collective noses back on the grindstone for another fun filled week of doing what it is we do for a living.

Ironically, today is probably the most missed day of work in West Virginia and a day where many West Virginia hunters go out into the woods in search of a venison prize to feed their families. It's the first day of deer season here in West Virginia. If you are going out into the woods, make sure you wear a bright blaze orange and be extra careful and be aware of your surroundings as you are looking for your prize. There are a lot of other hunters out there today so please use extra care and caution as everyone is trying to bag that buck.

Do you believe that it is already Thanksgiving week? That means it is going to be a short four day week for me and and a three day week for Michelle. She is talking about switching cars with me on Friday and taking Chad out to some tree farm to cut down some Christmas Tree. It's just something that she wants to do different this year.

Have yourselves a great day today, if you are hunting stay safe and be aware of your surroundings.

For others like me it is hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit on a quiet Sunday Morning, I'm up early watching something or another on the boob tube and collecting my thoughts for the day.

Well yesterday did not turn out too well fro WVU, starting QB Will Grier gruesomely dislocated his finger in the first quarter yesterday on a very strange play call. It was second and goal at about the half yard line and we called a naked bootleg where Grier ended up diving for the pylon, but ended up dislocating his finger and fumbling the ball to Texas. It was the turning point in the game and we lost 28-14.

Jim and Chris had a pretty good auction last night, I would say it was one of the more successful ones that I have been to, they are talking about doing another one December 2, but Michelle and I will be at her company Christmas dinner. I did manage to get a good deal on a heavy duty snow shovel and some wire grinding wheels for my drill and Michelle got 5 glass vases that I think she wants to decorate.

The Steelers played Thursday Night, so there is not really any football for us today, but we have a number of things that we need to do around the house.

Have yourselves a great day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit in a quiet household, I have no idea what kind of noise is playing on the TV behind me and I'm up catching my thoughts for the day. I don't even see or hear any of the animals roaming around which is pretty rare.

If you are looking for some football, the University of Texas is in Morgantown today for a noon kickoff with the Mountaineers. This is the last home game of the season for the Mountaineers who close out their regular season next week at the University of Oklahoma. This is also Senior Day where all of the Seniors are introduced prior to the game.

This evening Jim and Chris (who finally got into their new home) are having an auction at the Cassville Firehall. The are having all kinds of Christmas Stuff and Tools on the agenda for this evening. It doesn't start until after the Football game is over and most people will be on their way out of town, so come on down and find yourselves a bargain or two.

I'm home today and not working for RTI. I had the chance to, but knew it would be a very non-productive day due to the football game so I have chosen to stay home and watch the football game...lol

Have yourselves a great day today.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Veterans Day Friday.

Looking for some football? Well University High School is the only Monongalia team still alive in the state playoffs, and they will be hosting Capital this evening. The 11-0 Hawks look to extend their season long winning streak one more week. They have had a great season, and should win tonight IMHO but they have a buzz saw ahead of them next week in Martinsburg if they win. Good luck Hawks.

If you are not doing anything tomorrow night, Jim and Chris are having an Auction at the Cassville Firehall. They haven't had any in a while, but they are now going to start doing them once again and they do tend to have quite a few bargains.

Other than that, not working this weekend for RTI. Might travel again next weekend if the section has not been worked down, but that all depends on whether they can get someone to work it. With Texas in town for a football game tomorrow, working the area could be a little inhibitive and counterproductive.

Have yourselves a great day.

Hi ho hi ho                                     

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through some of the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or stolen off of the internet through the years and find one special picture that stands out. Little lost moments in time from yesterday caught with a Cameras lens and relived right here in my blog. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that one special picture and sometimes it's not that easy, one thing it consistently is however is a whole lot of fun.

This weeks pic was earlier this year, Michelle and I were in St. Louis and were eating at SugarFire Restaurant across the street from our hotel. We were in St. Louis together for my yearly certification for RTI, I have to go every year, and Michelle went with me last year. If you are ever in St Louis in the downtown area, this restaurant is a must. 

I did find out Missouri is moving out of our region next year with some shuffling around, so when I go there this year it will probably be my last trip to St. Louis as next year it's speculated that we will got to Raleigh, NC for certifications. Whether Michelle goes with me this year is pretty much up in the air this year, she might not be able to get away from work this year but we'll have to see. I still don't have my itinerary.

Have yourselves a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Hump Day

Coach Peanut

Two days are now behind us and we have two more in front of us, now we just need to manage to get up and over this noon time hump and it will be all downhill as we work towards another fun filled weekend.

I was sitting in a meeting a couple of days ago and someone mentioned that next week is Thanksgiving. It was like a ton of bricks just hit me and I looked at my phones calendar and realized, OMG, Next week is Thanksgiving.This fall has went by extremely quick and we are about to enter the Holiday Season and this Saturday is the last home football game of the season.

Both Michelle and I have dusted off the treadmill and have started using it again. We bought it a few years ago and it's just sat as a coat rack in the bedroom, it's finally getting to do what it was bought for and not an expensive cluster of a machine sitting in a corner. I know Michelle and Peanut were up yesterday morning on the treadmill as I was still sleeping comfortably. 3:00 in the morning is a time I prefer to be sleeping, not working out on a treadmill, Peanut said "Meow" which translates into get your lazy butt on this thing.

Have yourselves a great day today.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday after a three day weekend completed, now it's time to address and tackle Tuesday. Great time of the week for me to do a tidbits.

* It has been 19,724 days since my reported birth, by my calculation and using my patented 938 day calendar, that should make me 21 years old by my calculations.

* It has been 4,930 days since I graduated from WVU, the second smartest decision I ever made in my life.

* 3,531 days ago I took the smartest decision in my life out for dinner and a movie.

* 2,755 days ago I got down on one knee and proposed marriage and my life has been better ever since.

* It was 2,292 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, Michelle and became husband and wife. It was a very special day for us.

* I have 5,130 days to go until I retire, or at least start doing something else with my life other than working.

* The next Backyard brawl where we beat Pitt's ass is only 1,776 days away. it can't come soon enough.

* There are 265 more days to go until Michelle and I celebrate our magical Seventh Wedding Anniversary.

* We have 126 more days to go until Spring 2018, I actually saw my first bit of snowfall during the season on Friday. Albeit it was just a few snow flakes, but snow none the less.

* 81 more days until Phil takes center stage again, hopefully he delivers some good news.

* 48 more days to go until my Goodbye 2017 Blog is posted where I recount 2017 based on what I have written in my blog. It has been a year of transition and change, so should be a good read.

* There are 41 more shopping days left until Christmas. I know Michelle wants to do something different this year and go cut down our own live tree.

* My next Anniversary of my 21st Birthday will be in 17 more days. If you use that antiquated 365 day calendar, this will be the 33rd Anniversary of it.

* I have written 5,050 blogs in what is now my 13 full years of being a Blogger and working towards 10,000. Only 4,950 to go!!!!!

* Nothing new on the Brother Search that has been going on for a couple of years, but we've hit brick walls everywhere but what else is new.

* Nothing new on the Hall Family Tree, even though there are some updates and additions that do need to be made, so there is that for me to work on. I did renew for another year as my database is too large for the free site.

* Mark your calendars, Jim and Chris will be holding an Auction on November 18th at the Cassville Firehall. Jim says he has a lot of tools to auction off if you are looking to add to your collection.

* Jim and Chris still are not in their new home, talk about being discouraged. It's sitting there, they have made multiple payments on it but have not been granted access to it.

* WVU is home this week against Texas. I have to say that they have surprised me the past two weeks with wins against Iowa State and Kansas State on the road. This week and next are two very big tests.

* I've started the weigh loss regimen again that lead to me losing 105 lbs three years ago. The transition is not that hard and Michelle is doing it with me. My Doctor Challenged me to lose 15 pounds by January 19th and I'm shooting for 30. It's just diet and monitoring what you eat.

* We have our Thanksgiving and Ohio Christmas events planned and scheduled for this year, Michelle and Chris set both events up this past weekend.

* I find myself drinking 2 cups of Hot Chocolate at work a day, every day. It's becoming a routine and I never drank hot drinks.

* I'm STILL converting some old VHS tapes to Digital Format for Trish. I really need to get back on this.

* Have I ever mentioned that I Hate Snow?

* Have yourselves a great day.

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

All good things must come to an end and that does include the fun filled things that we refer to as weekend. Now it's time to take our collective noses and stick them back on the grindstone for another fun filled week of doing what it is we do for a living.

It's hard to believe that we are already in the middle of November, we are a little over a month away from Christmas and we should start decorating here in the next week or two. I know we have added a number of new decorations this year from Amish County, our new OurTowne Collection and from some things Michelle purchased this weekend at the Christmas show at Mylan Park this past weekend.

Looking at the week ahead, I have meetings all week except for Friday when I have nothing scheduled. This coming weekend, Jim and Chris will be having a Christmas Auction at the Cassville Firehall. I should be (am planning to be) off this coming weekend, so I would really like to go over for the auction. It should be a pretty busy week looking ahead.

Have yourselves a great day, let's get this party started.

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Smoking

Here I sit in a quiet household once again, Michelle is also up and drinking her morning coffee and Rocky and Lilly are visiting as well. Believe it or not it is all quiet on the front right now, but that could all change...lol

I'm off again today (two of last three) and we have plans to do a little bit of smoking today. We have a Pork Butt marinating and we will throw it on the smoker here in a few hours and start dinner. We only smoke a few times during the year and this will probably be our last for 2017 (with the Holidays coming up), so we are going to make it a good one. I went to Harry's Custom Meats Friday and picked the Pork Butt up for today's meal. If you really want good fresh out of this world meat, go try Harry's Custom Meats across from Rich's Farms in PA.

Other than that, it's just going to be a normal Sunday for us. Shopping this morning, visiting our favorite bakery, laundry and relaxing. The Steelers do play at 1:00, which is the last 1:00 game until the end of the season. The next four weeks will all be night games and I will probably catch the highlights the next morning.

Have yourselves a great and relaxing day, we're going to try to with 2 cats, 3 dogs (including a rambunctious pit-bull) and a 15'' Python who just likes to relax and chill.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit on a quiet Sunday Morning, I'm the first one to recover from that dreadful butt kicking I took from that Sandman last night and I'm up collecting my thoughts for the day and watch something on HBO. These are the quiet and peaceful hours so to speak.

I was off yesterday and ended my 11 day streak of working one job or the other, I made the most of it as I had a Dr's appointment and made a trip to Harry's Custom Meats to obtain a fresh pork butt as we are going to be firing up the smoker tomorrow.

Today however I hit the road later this morning and travel to where I worked last week. The section is pretty much worked down, as someone else worked my case load during the week, so it leaves me the interviews I have scheduled and the remaining places where it's been hard to find people at home.

The WVU Mountaineer Football team is on the road at 3:30 this afternoon, they have made their way to Manhattan Kansas and will be taking on the Kansas State Wildcats. We are going to have our hands full, they are very well coached and don't make very many mistakes.

Have yourselves a great day, it feels like Sunday to me...lol

Hi ho hi ho

Big Ole Hairy Veterans Day Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Veterans Day Friday.

I'm off today as it is Veterans Day, a Federal Holiday and a tribute to our Veterans. There are a number of restaurants offering free meals to Veterans, so if you have served our country enjoy a free meal on them and a thank you from me for your service.

Looking for some High School Football action tonight? Well #3 University High is at home hosting Spring Mills, if they win this week they will host the winner of the Musselman vs Cabell Midland Game. #15 Morgantown, my alma mater is going on the road to Martinsburg again, a place they got clown stomped on September 22 51-7. I don't see anyone beating Martinsburg yet again this year, they have just owned the state the last 10-12 years.

I have a Dr's appointment later this afternoon, but other than that I am off today. I will be heading out again tomorrow morning to work a couple of cases, but I should be off on Sunday as someone else has worked the section this week.

Have yourselves a great day and thank you once again veterans.

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through some of the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or stolen off of the internet through the years and find one special picture that stands out. Little lost moments in time from yesterday caught with a Cameras lens and relived right here in my blog. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that one special picture and sometimes it's not that easy, one thing it consistently is however is a whole lot of fun.

This weeks pic was kind of an easy one. This is a picture of my lovely wife and her friend Holly a couple of years ago. As I mentioned earlier this week, Holly lost her brother and sister in law in the Texas Church shooting earlier this week. Her brother Scott and Sister in Law Karen were both gunned down mercilessly as they sat in church Sunday Morning.

This blog has a dual purpose, one is my traditional flashback, but mainly to try to solicit funds for Holly and her family. If you have any additional money that you would like to donate, they are trying to raise funds for the families unexpected trip to Texas.

Have yourselves a great day, and part with some of those extra coins to a good cause.

L-R: Scott Marshall, Karen Marshall, Holly and Vince

Hump Day

Well that is two days down, now all we have to do is get up and over this noon time hump and some of us only have one more day to work this week. I'm off on Friday for Veterans Day and Michelle is off tomorrow for surgery (Chad is taking her).

Let me start off by re-addressing yesterdays post, Holly and her family are trying to get to Texas and someone has set up a GoFundMe account for her. They are trying to raise money to offset the expenses of the entire family having to go to Texas for the funerals. If you have a few spare coins, it would be greatly appreciated by someone who just had her world disturbed.

Other than that, things are going pretty good over here. I just saw the now task for 2018 at work on our contract, and I specifically pretty much have my own section and am trying to get more funding for equipment (aka toys) to help us better do our job. I'm getting a lot of support from the right people, we just have to hope it's budgeted which comes down to the administration and the budget. I'm the only GIS person (although my job title is Engineer) on this contract for any of the three sites which works to my advantage.

Have yourselves a great day today, do something to make a difference no matter how big or small.

Hi ho hi ho

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is behind us and we are looking at a Tuesday, that means tidbits.

* First and foremost of all I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Michelle's best friend Holly. Holly came in for Michelle's Bridal Shower and she went up earlier this summer and stayed with her. Holly lost her Brother Scott and his wife Karen (who were also at Holly's this summer when Michelle stayed) in the tragic shooting at the Texas Church this past Sunday. Thoughts and Prayers go out to Holly and her entire family during this time.

* It has been 19,717 days since my reported birth, by my calculation and using my patented 938 day calendar, that should make me 21 years old. Tell me that aint scary.

* It has been 4,923 days since I graduated from WVU, all the ghosts and ghouls partied down that day.

* 3,524 days ago I took Michelle out for dinner and a movie. Hayley's advice to her was don't drink pop, you'll burp...lol

* 2,748 days ago I got down on one knee and proposed marriage and my life has been better ever since.

* It was 2,285 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, Michelle and I bot married.

* I have 5,137 days to go until I retire, give or take a few hundred here or there.

* The next Backyard brawl where we beat Pitt's ass is only 1,783 days away.

* There are 272 more days to go until Michelle and I celebrate our magical Seventh Wedding Anniversary.

* We have 133 more days to go until Spring 2018, yes as we about enter this season of shorter and colder days and I'm counting the days until they are over with.

* 88 more days until Phil takes center stage again, hopefully he delivers some good news.

* 55 more days to go until my Goodbye 2017 Blog is posted where I recount 2017 based on what I have written in my blog. It has been a year of transition and change, so should be a good read.

* There are 48 more shopping days left until Christmas. I know some people already have their trees up. Too early IMHO.

* My next Anniversary of my 21st Birthday will be in 38 more days. If you use that antiquated 365 day calendar, this will be the 33rd Anniversary of it.

* I have written 5,043 blogs in what is now my 13 full years of being a Blogger and working towards 10,000. Only 4,957 to go!!!!!

* Nothing new on the Brother Search that has been going on for a couple of years, but we've hit brick walls everywhere.

* Nothing new on the Hall Family Tree, even though there are some updates and additions that do need to be made, so there is that for me to work on.

* Looks like I will most likely be going out into the field once again this weekend working for RTI. I opened all the lines meaning everyplace has been at least visited.

* This is going to be a short week for me as Friday is Veterans Day and a Federal Holiday. Both Michelle and I have Dr's appointments that day as well.

* Thursday Michelle has another follow up surgery from her Gastric Bypass. We've lost track as to how many she has had. 8 or 9.

* Mark your calendars, Jim and Chris will be holding an Auction on November 18th at the Cassville Firehall. Jim says he has a lot of tools to auction off if you are looking to add to your collection.

* Speaking of Jim and Chris, they still have not been handed the keys to their new house. It has been delivered and pretty much set up, and he has actually made three payments on it already, but they have not turned the keys over as it is not completed yet.

* WVU will be at on the road this week visiting Kansas State, Bill Snider has always had Dana's number and somehow manages to pull out the wins. He's just a very good coach.

* I'm STILL converting some old VHS tapes to Digital Format for Trish. I really need to get back on this.

* Have I ever mentioned that I Hate Snow?

* Have yourselves a great day.

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

All good things must come to an end, and that does include those fun filled things most people get to enjoy called weekends. I worked both days this past weekend, so this just starts another week of the same thing but today I'm back in the office for four days this week. Friday is Veterans Day and a Federal Holiday.

Now it's time to take our collective noses and stick them back on the grindstone for another fun filled week of doing what it is we do for a living.

I've actually got a couple of meetings scheduled for this morning, so I'll be tied up up until lunchtime. Looking at the week ahead, Michelle is going to have a follow up surgery Thursday on her stomach, Chad is going to take her and be with her that day, and we both have Doctors appointments scheduled on Friday. That's pretty much our week coming up.

Have yourselves a great day, it's a new week with new challenges and new goals to accomplish.

Hi ho hi ho

The Extra Hour of Sleep Day

Last night, or rather early this morning, we said goodbye to daylight savings time and moved our clocks back one hour allowing us an extra hour to sleep today. I think my body has already adjusted.

I'm up early catching my thoughts for the day and watching some old Goldie Hawn movie on some channel in the background. I think I just saw one of the cats walk by, but not sure which one.

I have to hand it to WVU, I really thought that they were going to lose yesterday, Iowa State is a very hot team who had beaten 2 top 4 programs in the past few weeks, but the Mountaineers managed to walk away with a 20-16 win making them Bowl Eligible for the season. Next up Dana and the boys travel to Manhattan Kansas to take on Bill Snider and the Kansas State Jayhawks.

Today, I'm back out in the field working for RTI. I was out yesterday and did manage to get home in time to go with Michelle to Amanda and Joey's housewarming. Traveling once again, so I can't say this has not been one  busy weekend.

Have yourselves a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit yet once again in a quiet household, I'm up early watching Hancock on one of the TV stations and collecting my thoughts for the day. I don't see or hear anyone or anything else wandering about, so I must be the only one up.

Tonight before you go to bed, or around 2:00 AM if you are awake, it's time to turn your clocks back one hour as Daylight Savings time ends and it gets dark much, much earlier in the evening. Most clocks do it automatically anymore, but there are some that do not.

Today WVU hosts 15th ranked Iowa State this afternoon at 3:30. Iowa State used to be a gimme game, meaning you could always count on them for a Conference win, but they have beaten Oklahoma and TCU this season so they are for real and we are going to have our hands more than full this afternoon.

Me, I'm heading out this morning and heading East to work for RTI today. Assigned a new segment that I will need to travel to, so I'm heading out early working it both today and tomorrow to at least attempt to open up all of the lines. This is where we start winding down for the year and prepare for the Holidays followed by my trip to St. Louis in early January for re-certification.

Hopefully if I get back into town early enough, I'll make it over to Amanda and Joey's for their housewarming party.

Have yourselves a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week that we all look foreword to, when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is once again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday.

Looking for a little High School Football action tonight? Well in Monongalia County you are going to have to travel to Blacksville to watch Clay Battelle take on Madonna as that is the only High School action involving any of the teams this weekend. Morgantown at 4-6 may still make the playoffs but they don't control their own destiny and University High at 10-0 is just sitting and waiting to see who their next victim is, it could be the Mohigans again.

Other than that I'm working all weekend. They have given me another section to tackle and I'll be traveling about an hour or so each way to work that section both days. I had last weekend off, this should be rounding out this quarter when I get this section worked. Someone else was supposed to be tackling it this week, and I'll take over this weekend.

Joey and Amanda are going to have their house warming party this weekend, they had it planned a few weeks ago, but there was a main waterline break and it pretty much put a big damper on all of their plans. They got a new line dug and in place and should be good to go with their new house. I should be back in town in time to at least stop by hopefully. Michelle and probably Chad will be going over, I'll just join them later on.

Have yourselves a great day today.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week I like to take a little bit of time out and look through some of the pictures that I have either taken, scanned or stolen off of the internet through the years and find one special picture that stands out. Little lost moments in time from yesterday caught with a Cameras lens and relived right here in my blog. Sometimes it's pretty easy to find that one special picture and sometimes it's not that easy, one thing it consistently is however is a whole lot of fun.

This weeks pic goes back about 20 or so years, back to a time when I worked at Helmick Corp. This picture was taken in the waning days of the plant operating its foundry when we had pretty much a skeleton crew. The three guys in the picture were Willie (our Core Maker), Rich who assisted me in Pouring Metal, and Randy who was our last remaining floor molder.

The picture was taken actually during lunch time when I had time to walk around and grab a few pictures with a disposable camera, nothing like today where we all have high quality iPhones at our disposal and can grab pictures pretty much on demand.

I wish we would have had digital cameras like that then, as I can assure you I would have taken thousands of pictures of molten metal and all the fun we had with it and trust me I still to this day have dreams of me being back in this time period and things going wrong. You had to think and act quickly under some pretty adverse conditions. I'm sure if there were videos of some of the things I did it would open a few eyes and go viral because we pushed the envelope.

Good times gone by.

Have a great day

Hi ho hi ho

All Saints Day

I bet many of you know about Halloween, but how many of you know about All Saints Day, the day that is actually the predecessor to Halloween. It's kind of like Fat Tuesday to Ash Wednesday, only instead of beads, we give out Candy.

Speaking of Halloween, we had a grand total of 0 Trick or Treaters, the only ones we did have were the ones we delivered packages to after Michelle made up little Trick or Treat bags. We never have any trick or treaters down here, as a matter of a fact I don't think we have ever had any trick or treaters here since we lived here.

Chad got all moved in, he switched to the back bedroom as it has more room than the other one, meaning our junk room had to have everything taken out of there and put into the other bedroom. Meaning my office and it's original location, is back to that original location. It's like playing Musical chairs with my office and my old office is now occupied by a 15' Python.

I hope everyone has a great day, let's all go make a difference in this world today.

Hi ho hi ho